The moment Zi Yan realized there were people ahead—and familiar ones at that—she hurriedly covered her face with both hands.
Being carried like a toy in front of so many people… how embarrassing!
Medusa was the first to speak, her tone dripping with teasing mockery.
"Is this the 'important matter' you mentioned? Child abduction? Don't tell me your peculiar hobbies have flared up again?"
Little Fairy Doctor, Qing Lin, and the others immediately burst into laughter. Their gazes toward Xiao Jietian were filled with playful amusement.
The only one not laughing was Han Yue.
She vaguely felt a sense of familiarity with the petite figure in Xiao Jietian's grasp. Her eyes carried a searching look as she tried to confirm whether it was just her imagination.
Then she noticed the distinctive light purple hair tied into twin pigtails.
Tentatively, she asked, "…Senior Sister Zi Yan?"
"It… it's me!"
Zi Yan knew her identity had been exposed. Her voice came out awkward and small.
Immediately afterward, she turned her grievance toward Xiao Jietian.
"Big bad guy! Aren't you going to put me down? Don't I have any dignity left at all?"
"Hmm? What did you just call me?"
Sensing the dangerous edge in his tone, Zi Yan instantly switched attitudes. She adopted a fawning, pitiful expression.
"Big good guy~ Please put me down. Although being carried like this means I don't have to walk, I still prefer the feeling of walking on my own. I super love it!"
Xiao Jietian gently set her down and even reached out to help straighten her slightly rumpled dress.
Seeing his unexpectedly gentle actions, the resentment Zi Yan had been nursing instantly dissipated quite a bit. A faint warmth even rose in her chest.
She quickly shook her head to dispel the feeling.
*No, no, no—this guy bullied me! How could I possibly feel warm toward him? Ab-so-lute-ly im-pos-si-ble!*
Watching her alternate between silly little smiles and frantic self-denial, Xiao Jietian reached out and touched her forehead.
Had he broken her?
"Junior Xiao Tian, why did you bring Senior Sister Zi Yan here?"
Han Yue walked to his side. She cast a quick glance at Ya Fei, who was practically glued to him, and a trace of envy flickered in her eyes.
Xiao Jietian directly pulled Han Yue into his embrace as well, now holding one beauty in each arm.
"I brought her to meet Fei'er."
Zi Yan glanced at the man with a woman on each side and a clear flash of disdain crossed her face.
She already knew Xiao Jietian had a publicly acknowledged childhood sweetheart back at the academy. Looking at the situation here, it seemed the other women also had complicated relationships with him.
Was this… Xiao Jietian's secret lovers' hideout?
If so, she could report him to Xun'er later.
Just thinking about it almost made Zi Yan burst out laughing.
"This little girl and Fei'er do share a similar aura. Could she be Medusa's long-lost sister or cousin?"
Little Fairy Doctor carefully sensed Zi Yan's presence and murmured thoughtfully.
"I don't have any relatives, and it's impossible for me to have any. But… I do feel an inexplicable sense of closeness toward her."
Medusa finished speaking and tilted her head, sizing up the petite Zi Yan. Zi Yan, in turn, stared back at Medusa.
Although she didn't know this woman and had never seen her before, the strange feeling of familiarity grew stronger the longer she looked.
Her gaze shifted to Xiao Jietian, full of questions, silently demanding an explanation.
Xiao Jietian gave a brief summary of Zi Yan's identity as a magical beast.
"So you're saying the sense of closeness I feel is because of our magical beast bloodlines?"
"Indeed. But more precisely, it's because your races are quite similar, which creates this natural affinity."
Xiao Jietian corrected her slightly.
The Void Ancient Dragon and the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python—even the evolved Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python—shared considerable similarities, including faint bloodline connections.
Just like how the Void Ancient Dragon and Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan were naturally antagonistic, practically disgusted with each other on an instinctual, DNA level.
"Then Xiao Jietian… do you know exactly what I am?"
Zi Yan asked anxiously, hoping he might reveal her true form.
"Hmm. For now, your main task is to accumulate energy and cultivate. Once you reach Dou Huang, I'll tell you."
"You mustn't lie to me! I'll reach Dou Huang very soon!"
Zi Yan knew he wouldn't say more right now, so she didn't press further.
Xiao Jietian simply nodded, no longer paying attention to her—he was quite busy at the moment.
Zi Yan shot him a disdainful glance (especially at the two women in his arms), then slowly edged closer to Medusa. The nearer she got, the stronger the feeling of kinship became.
Medusa reached out and took Zi Yan's small hand, leading her toward the lake.
The two of them clearly needed a private, in-depth discussion.
"Little Brother Xiao Jietian, I know exactly what your little intentions are."
Ya Fei reached up and poked his forehead, looking as though she had seen through everything. She glanced at Zi Yan skipping behind Medusa.
"But she's still young—so don't you dare mess around."
"Her age, if you actually count it properly, all of yours combined wouldn't even be a fraction of hers."
Xiao Jietian playfully pinched her waist in retaliation.
"Ah!"
Ya Fei yelped, then quickly jumped away from him, rubbing the spot.
"Wasn't Qing Lin like that back then?"
She gently massaged her chest and shot him a teasing look.
Hearing those words, Little Fairy Doctor and Yun Yun both turned to look at Qing Lin, who was currently holding Xiao Meng.
Qing Lin's face immediately flushed under everyone's gaze, shy and embarrassed.
Han Yue, still tucked against Xiao Jietian's side, was completely bewildered by the sudden eye contact flying around her.
Was there something she didn't know?
To get back at Xiao Jietian, Ya Fei directly pulled Han Yue out of his embrace. Then, mimicking his earlier action, she wrapped an arm around Han Yue's waist and began whispering dramatically:
"Little Sister Yue, let me tell you… blah blah blah…"
"Giggle~"
After listening, Han Yue couldn't hold back her laughter—not sure whether it was because of Xiao Jietian's "intentions" or because Ya Fei had accidentally touched her ticklish spot.
"So Qing Lin is the wife you raised~"
"Oh, Big Sister Yue, you're teasing me again! Next time I won't help you!"
Qing Lin pouted, pretending to be angry. Her delicate, melon-seed-shaped face bloomed with two faint peach-pink blushes.
Han Yue immediately put on a pitiful expression and looked at Qing Lin pleadingly.
"Nooo~ We're good sisters! Sisters united, their strength cuts through metal! I'd die without your help!"
"Hehe~"
At some point, Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng had woken up. Hearing the playful conversation between their father and various mothers, the two little ones suddenly burst into giggles.
They stretched out their small hands toward Xiao Jietian, clearly wanting to be held.
Yun Yun and Qing Lin exchanged helpless glances.
Sure enough—daughters are always closer to their father.
Xiao Jietian carefully picked them both up. The moment they were in his arms, their laughter grew even brighter and happier.
Yun Yun looked at her daughter with resignation. Clearly, she was much happier now than when she had been in her own mother's embrace.
"Then do you think it's possible that Xun'er is actually his child bride?"
Ya Fei seemed to have discovered something extremely interesting and spoke up again.
The moment those words left her mouth, Little Fairy Doctor and the others' eyes lit up.
They quickly connected the dots to the old stories Xun'er had once told them—about how Xiao Jietian had "stolen her heart" when they were children.
"I think it's highly possible. It fits his lecherous intentions perfectly."
Xiao Jietian overheard their conversation and only showed a subtle, meaningful smile.
A wife raised from childhood really was more reassuring.
If only they hadn't all been older than him back then—and if he hadn't been so young and powerless at the time—he would have raised every single one of them.
Meanwhile, by the lakeside, Medusa and Zi Yan were deep in discussion about something unknown. They had even erected a Dou Qi barrier to isolate their conversation.
Every so often, the two of them would glance toward Xiao Jietian, as though quietly plotting something.